CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163: MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

Tax investigations probably won’t have a resolution anytime soon.

Seraphina Sinclair isn’t in a rush; she’s well aware of Ethan Lloyd’s PR tactics. This time, the tax evasion might not be enough to bring him down.

"Are we really going to let him off so easily?" Rosalie Quinn couldn’t get over it. People like him ought to be dealt with once and for all.

"Some things can’t be rushed. With someone as vile as Ethan, if you don’t completely expose his hidden deals, he’ll always manage to bounce back," Seraphina observed over the years. To truly deal with Ethan, it might take some serious effort.

Rosalie furrowed her brows, her breathing growing heavier.

Seeing her like this, Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh, "I have a plan for this. I’ll make sure Ethan suffers more than you’d expect."

"That’s more like it," Rosalie nodded approvingly, "If you need any help, just let me know, and your sister Rosalie will be ready to fight for you."

They laughed together, hardly showing the air of a lady and a high-cold director.

These days, the Lloyd Group has been swamped with the tax investigation, and Kevin has started to stabilize the company after Seraphina’s takeover, boosting its prominence due to its partnership with Cloudsea Group.

After being busy for so long, Seraphina finally had some time to relax and catch her breath.

Unknowingly, it’s been over a year since she returned to Bayside City. Standing with a cup of hot coffee by the floor-to-ceiling window, she gazed at the bustling crowd outside, a hint of nostalgia in her gentle eyes.

She wondered how everyone on Diamond Island was doing and whether they ever thought of her and her son.

As she pondered, a flash of white passed before her eyes. Instinctively, she looked up at the sky, realizing that it had started snowing.

She touched the window with her hand, the cold sensation affirming that winter had truly arrived.

Seraphina’s eyes grew warm, recalling memories of her parents playing in the snow with her as a child. It felt as though it had happened yesterday, yet yesterday seemed so far away.

Just as she was feeling sad, a soft mink stole unexpectedly draped over her shoulder.

She turned to face Desmond Fairchild’s deep eyes, her lips involuntarily curving upwards, "What brings you here?"

"What? Can’t I come see you for no reason?" Desmond noticed her slightly reddened eyes, furrowed his brows, and wiped away the unshed tear from her eye with his long fingers, "What’s wrong?"

Seraphina shook her head with a smile, "Just reminiscing about my childhood."

"Silly girl." Desmond wrapped his long arms gently around her, whispering close to her ear, "No matter your past, your future will always include me."

"Who wants you!" Seraphina exclaimed, playfully pinching his waist as her face turned bright red.

This guy really knows how to speak sweet words on a whim.

Desmond raised an eyebrow with a confident smile, "You definitely will."

Judging by his thick skin, no one could probably match him, Seraphina thought to herself.

They stayed like that, snuggling and watching the snowy landscape, neither speaking a word for a while.

After some time, Desmond finally spoke gently, "You’ve been quite busy lately. Find a few days to take some time off, let me take you somewhere."

"Where to?" Seraphina asked curiously.

"Secret," Desmond replied mysteriously, refusing to say.

The more he acted like this, the more curious Seraphina became. Over the next two days, every time Seraphina saw Desmond, her first question was undoubtedly, "Where are you planning to take me?"

Of course, there seemed to be no one more tight-lipped than Desmond. No matter how much Seraphina pressed him, he wouldn’t disclose a word.

Seraphina was incredibly curious, since she knew Desmond as someone with high intelligence but quite average emotional intelligence due to this being his first romance.

If he planned something bizarre, she feared her heart might not handle it. Thinking of those online guides for men, Seraphina felt a headache coming.

Jude Sinclair was quite similar to his father personality-wise and was strangely calm compared to Seraphina’s curiosity.

After dinner, Seraphina rarely relaxed, lying on the sofa with a pillow. Still curious, she poked her son, Jude, who was gaming beside her, and quietly asked, "Son, aren’t you curious at all?"

"What’s there to be curious about?" Jude replied seriously, rubbing his chin, "Dad hasn’t said he’s taking me."

"What do you mean?" Seraphina paused for a moment.

Jude chuckled mysteriously, "Mommy, dad said he’s taking you somewhere. I think he wants to spend some alone time with you."

Seraphina playfully patted his shoulder, "What nonsense. Does your dad seem like someone with romantic inclinations?"

If that’s truly the case, shouldn’t she be prepared for something more intimate?

Previously, it was only due to alcohol and a spur of the moment that she and Desmond did those unspeakable things. Going out alone with him would make her quite shy.

Jude had no idea what Seraphina was thinking, focused on his game, confidently replying, "Don’t worry, dad’s got more romantic ideas than you think."

After all, there’s Uncle Quentin Jennings to help him strategize, ensuring no mistakes.

With this mix of expectation and nervousness, Seraphina boarded Desmond’s private plane.

Throughout the flight, her cheeks remained flushed as her thoughts raced. She assumed Desmond was taking her on a vacation, since even Jude had been sent to the Fairchild Family. Clearly, he wanted two alone.

Despite being a strong-minded woman, aside from her previous failed marriage, this was actually Seraphina’s first real relationship.

Women in love often daydream about romantic moments with their boyfriend, and she was no exception. Just as she was imagining what bikini would be suitable for a beach vacation, the plane landed.

As soon as they touched down, she swiftly unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the cabin. Despite her speed, she remained graceful.

She expected to step out into sunshine, sand, and a blue ocean, but instead saw mountains and endless forests.

"What do you think? Do you like it?" Behind her came Desmond’s deep voice tinged with laughter, "I purchased this entire forest to develop a vacation resort here."

...

The response to him was a long silence.

Listening to Desmond’s words, Seraphina’s hopeful expression instantly fell, wanting to say something but unsure how.

Who goes on vacation without sunshine, beach, cocktails, and hot springs? Desmond actually took her to the deep forest!

But clearly, Desmond remained oblivious to Seraphina’s thoughts, his hand stroking her head affectionately, "What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?"